Window-cleaner.



L. SUNDEREGGBR. WINDOW CLEANER. APPLIOATIOII rum) MAY 2, 1913.

1,104,565. Patented July 21, 1914.

3 SHEE S-SHBET l.

4 TTOHNEYS THE \ORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTo-LITHo., WASHINGTON. D4 C L. SONDEREGGER.

WINDOW CLEANER,

APPLICATION FILED MAYZ, 1913.

1,104,565 Patented July 21, 1914:.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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TH E AORRIS PETERS 60., F'HOTD-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D C.

L. SONDEREGGER.

WINDOW CLEANER.

APPLIOA'T'ION FILED MAY 2, 1913 1,1 Q L5S5 Patented July 21, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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THE NORRIS PETER 60.. FHOTO-LITHO. WASHINGTON. D. C.

'rn sra'rns PATENT orrion.

LEO SONDEREGGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM MEYER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

WINDOW-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1914:.

Application filed. May 2, 1913. Serial No. 765,061.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LE0 SONDEREGGER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, (Crotona Park, east, borough of the Bronx,) in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Window-Cleaner, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved window cleaner arranged for convenient attachment to a window sill for effectively cleaning simultaneously both the outer and inner faces of the v panes of the lower and upper sashes.

In order to accomplish the desired result use is made of a support arranged for attachment to the window sill, a transverse spring-pressed shaft journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the, said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars to swing transversely, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided with integral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, and wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms. Each of the wipers referred to consists essentially of a frame provided with a rubbing plate over which passes a wiping web unwinding from one. roller and winding up on another roller to present new wiping surfaces to the window pane faces.

A practical. embodiment of the invention is represented. in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indi cate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a side elevation of the window cleaner; Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the same on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe same ith parts in section on the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. A is a cross section of the same on the line l4 of Fig. 1 and as applied to a window, parts being shown in section and parts being shown broken out; Fig. 5 is a sectional side elevation of the window cleaner on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the outer wiper; Fig. 7 is an edge view of a modified form of the wiper; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same with parts shown in section; Fig. 9 is a cross section of another modified form of the wiper on the line 9-9 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 10 is a sectional side elevation of the same on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

The window cleaner is mounted on a support A, preferably in the form of a bar adapted to extend across the window sill B, as indicated in Fig. 2, the support being provided with a depending lug A adapted to engage the lower edge of the bottom stop bead of the sill B. The inner face of the window sill B is adaped to be engaged by a head A held on a screw A screwing in a nut A adjustably attached to an extension bar A pivoted at A to the inner end of the support A. A removable pin A is adapted to engage one of a series of apertures A in the extension bar A, the pin A also engaging the nut A so as to hold the latter adjustably on the extension bar A to allow of conveniently adjusting the support to different widths of sills B. Thus for a very wide sill the nut A is moved outward on the extension bar A and then the screw A is screwed up to cause the head A to engage the inner face of the sill B. For a narrow sill the nut A is moved inward on the extension bar A and then the screw A is screwed up for clamping the support in place on the sill.

The support A is providedwith upwardly extending bearings A in which is journaled a shaft C to which are secured the inner and outer bars D and D spaced apart to window sill B. The outer ends of the bars D and D are provided with brackets F, F having transversely extending members F F on which are pivoted inner and outer wiper arms G, G provided at their upper ends with wipers Hand H adapted to engage the inner and outer surfaces of the pane down with the shaft C as a fulcrum, and

readily accommodate the lower and upper sashes E and E between them at the time the support A is fastened in place on the the arms G, G can be swung sidewise so that the wipers H and H reach every portion of the inner and outer surfaces of the sash pane. The pins F, F 5 previously mentioned are slidingly engaged by the arms G and G so as to limit the transverse swinging movement of the said arms G and G. Springs F F are coiled on the pins F*, F and press against the arms G, G so as to normally hold the same in outermost position, that is, with the wipers H, H out of engagement with the faces of the window pane.

In order to counterbalance the parallel frame with the wiper arms and wipers, use is made of a'torsion spring L coiled on one endof the shaft C (see Figs. 2 and 3) and having one end resting on the support A and the other end attached to a collar L adjustably secured to the shaft C by a set screw L to allow of increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring L so as to prop erly counterbalance the parallel frame, the wiper arms G, G and the wipers H, H.

The inner wiper H is mounted on a frame H having a shaft I-I ournaled in a bearing G held on the upper end of the inner wiper arm G. The shaft H terminates in a downwardly extending handle H adapted to be taken hold of by the operator with the right hand for imparting an up and down swinging motion to the parallel frame and a sidewise swinging motion to the wiper arm G and a turning'motion to the wiper H. A rubbing plate N is attached to the frame H by a universal joint N and the rubbing plate N is provided with a pad N of felt or other suitable material, and over which passes a web N of muslin or other suitable material. The web N unwinds from a roller N and winds up on a roller N both rollers N N being journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the wiper frame H The roller N is located below the shaft I-I while the roller N is located above the said shaft and is provided at one outer end with a knurled head N (see Fig. 1) adapted to be taken hold of by the operator for turning the roller N so as to wind up the web N and thereby draw the same over the pad N with a view to. present clean wiping surfaces to the inner face of the window pane.

The wiper H is provided with a frame 0 mounted to turn on the upper end G of the arm G, and on the said frame 0 is pivoted at O a rubbing plate 0 provided with a pad 0 of felt or other suitable material. Over the pad 0 passes a web 0 unwinding from a roller 0 journaled on the frame 0. The web O winds up on a roller 0 (see Figs. 5 and 6) journaled in the frame 0. A spring 0 is attached to the frame 0 and presses against the upper portion of, the rubbing plate 0 so as to hold that portion of the web O -"which is stretched over the pad 4 and 5) engaged by a pawl P fulcrumed on I a bell crank lever P mounted to swing loosely on the roller 0 as a fulcrum. A. spring P connects the frame 0 with the bell crank lever P so as to impart a return swinging motion to the bell crank lever P as hereinafter more fully described.- The lever is preferably of U shape to provide a support for a guide roller P for the web which latter also passes over a guide rod 0 held at the rear of the frame 0, as plainly indicated in Figs. 4 and 6. The bell crank lever P is provided with a depending link P on which is pivoted a depending link Q provided at its lower end with ratchet teeth Q adapted to engage a keeper Q pivoted at Q on the bracket Q attached to the connecting bar I. A spring Q bears on the back of the link Q so as to normally hold one of the teeth Q in engagement with the keeper Q the spring Q permitting the operator to swing the link Q out of engagement with the keeper Q Whenever it is desired to fold the window cleaner.

When the device is in use and a swinging motion is given to the arm G by means of handle H then the link Q, held in engagement with the keeper Q causes a downward swinging of the bell crank lever P, at the time the arm G swings from the left to the right beyond a vertical position, thus causing the pawl P to turn the ratchet wheel P and the roller 0 to wind up the web. When the wiper arm G swings back the pawl P glides over the ratchet wheel until the wiper arm G has returned to vertical position.

Thus by the arrangement described an in- .L

termittent turning motion is given to the roller 0 on giving a swinging movement to the arm G so as to .wind up the web 0 ghereby the web 0 is drawn over the pad is continually presented to the outer face of the window pane. A spring Q connects the bracket Q with the bracket F (see Figs. 3, 4E, and 5) to counterbalance the arm G at the time the latter is swung from vertical position over to the left, it being understood that during this movement the spring Q is placed under tension.

In order to impart a transverse swing ing movement to the outer wiping arm G, the following arrangement is made: A bracket G is attached to the wiper arm G near the upper end thereof and to this bracket is secured one end of a rope, cable or other flexible connection R which ex;

and consequently a new wiping surface tends downward and passes around a guide pulley R journaled on the free end of the bar I). The flexible connection R is preferably provided with an interposed spring R (see Fig. 5) and passes under a guide pulley R to then connect with the peripheral face of a cam K secured to or forming part of the sleeve K, previously mentioned,- and mounted to turn loosely on the shaft C. On one end of the sleeve K is secured a ratchet wheel K engaged by a pawl K fulcrumed on a handle K mounted to swing loosely on the sleeve K as a fulcrum. A dog K engaging the ratchet wheel K is fulcrumed on the bar D and is provided with a lug K (see Fig. 1) adapted to be engaged by the heel of the pawl K so as to swing the dog K out of engagement with the ratchet wheel K at the time the handle K is swung from the left to the right, with the pawl K gliding over the said ratchet wheel K When the operator swings the handle K from the right to the left the pawl K turns the ratchet wheel K and consequently the sleeve K which by the cam K exerts a pull on the flexible connection B so that a transverse swinging movement is given to the wiper arm G toward the window pane to move the web O overlying the pad in firm engagement with the window pane so as to wipe the outer face thereof clean on imparting a corresponding movement to the wiper H through the action of the operator manipulating the handle H in swinging the parallel. frame and the arms G and G, as previously explained.

In using the device the operator raises the lower window sash and then places the sup port A transversely in position on the window sill and fastens the support thereon as previously explained. Either of the two sashes is now moved into lowermost position so as to extend between the arm G and its wiper H and the arm G and its wiper H. The operator now takes hold, with the right hand, of the handle 11*, and, with the left hand, of the handle K and by bearing on the handle H in a transverse direction the wiper H is moved in contact with the inner surface of the window pane, and by the operator swinging the handle K to the left the arm G is swung transversely toward the window pane to move the wiper H in contact with the outer face of the window pane. The operator by manipulating the handle I-I now moves the wiper over the surface of the window pane, it being understood that every portion of the window pane can be reached owing to the connection of the arms G, G with the parallel frames. In case it is a very large window the support A with the parts mounted thereon can be shifted lengthwise on the window sill so as to permit of cleaning the window pane in sections according to the range of the window cleaner. It is understood that the operator in charge can periodically turn the knurled head N so as to present a new surface of the web N to the window pane, but a new surface of the web 0 is presented to the outer face of the window automatically by the action of the pawl and ratchet mechanism P, P connected with the winding up roll 0 and controlled by the link Q in engagement with the keeper Q as previously explained.

The rubbing plates N and O are pivotally connected. with their frames H and O to insure a proper contact of the portions of the webs N 0 passing over the pads l 2 and O with the inner and outer surfaces of the window pane, so that a very effective cleaning of the window pane surfaces is had when using the machine as above explained. By bearing with more or less force on the handle K a corresponding contact of the wiper H is had with the outer face of the window pane.

The modified outside wiper H shown in Figs. 7 and 8, consists essentially of a web S unwinding from a roller S and winding up on a roller S provided with a knurled head'S for turning the roller S by the operator. The web S is adapted to pass over a pad S attached to a rubbing plate S hinged at S to a frame T provided with a shaft T journaled on a bracket G attached to the upper end of a wiper arm G". The shaft T carries brackets T T in which the rollers S and S are journaled. Flat springs T T are attached to the bracket T and bear against the back of the rubbing plate S so as to insure a proper flat contact of the rubbing surface of the web S with the outer face of the window pane.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the web U unwinds from a roller U and winds up on a roller U provided with a knurled head U under the control of the operator. The rollers U and U are iournaled on a frame U straddling a bearing U mounted to turn on a pin G, the bearing being pivoted at U to the rubbing plate U", and the said rubbing plate U is pressed on by a spring U to hold the surface of the web U extending over the pad U in firm contact with the outer face of the window pane. A link U connects the outer ends of the journals of the rollers U and U with each other to give the desired strength to the frame U It is understood that in the modified forms shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the automatic turning device of the winding up roller is entirely dispensed with and the web U is adjusted to present a clean surface prior to starting cleaning of the outer surfacfi of the window pane of a lower or upper sas Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A window cleaner, comprising a support arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaft arranged to extend transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided with integral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, and wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms.

2. A window cleaner, comprising a support arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaft arranged to eX- tend. transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided with integral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, a handle on the said inner wiper arm, and manually-controlled mechanism connected with the said outer wiper arm for impart ing a transverse swinging movement to the said outer wiper arm.

3. A window cleaner, comprising a support arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaftarranged to extend transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided with integral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, a handle on the said inner wiper arm,'a flexible connection connected with the said outer wiper arm, guides on the said outer bar for guiding the said flexible connection, a cam to which the said flexible connection is attached, a cam sleeve mounted to turn on the said shaft and carrying the said cam, and a handle for operating the said cam sleeve.

l. A window cleaner, comprising a sup-' port arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaft arranged to extend transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided withintegral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, a handle onthe said innerwiper arm, a flexible connection connected with the said outer wiper arm, guides on the outer bar for guiding the said flexible connection, a cam to which the said flexible connection is attached, a cam sleeve mounted to turn on the said shaft and carrying the said earn, a handle loose on the said cam sleeve, a pawl on the said handle, and a ratchet wheel secured on the said cam sleeve and engaged by the said pawl.

A window cleaner, comprising a support arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaft arranged to eX- tend transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided with integral arms, in-

ner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, and

wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, each wiper having a rubbing plate, an endless wiping web passing over the said plate and winding up and unwinding rollers on which winds and unwinds the said web.

' 6. A window cleaner, comprising a support, arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaftarranged to extend transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner,

and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleevev mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft andprovided with integral arms, in-

ner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, each wiper having a rubbing plate, an end.- less wiping web passing over the said plate and winding up and unwinding rollers on which winds and unwinds the said web, and means controlled by the said outer arm and the said outer link for turning the outer winding up roller.

7. A window cleaner provided with a wiper, comprising an arm, a frame mounted toturn on said arm, arubbing plate pivotally connected with the said frame, rollers journaled on the said frame, and a web passing over the said rubbing plate and winding up on one roller and unwinding from the,

bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaftand provided with integral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, each wiper having a rubbing plate, an endless wiping web passing over the said plate and winding up and unwinding rollers on which winds and unwinds the said web, a ratchet wheel on the outer winding up roller, a lever mounted to swing loosely on the said winding up roller, a pawl on the said lever and engaging the said ratchet wheel, a link connected with the said lever and provided with ratchet wheels, and a keeper held on the said outer bar and engaged by the ratchet teeth of the said link.

9. A window cleaner, comprising a support, arranged for attachment to a window sill, a spring-pressed shaft arranged to extend transversely of the window sill and journaled on the said support, inner and outer bars attached to the said shaft, inner and outer wiper arms pivotally connected with the outer ends of the said bars, a sleeve mounted concentrically relative to the said shaft and provided withintegral arms, inner and outer links connecting the said wiper arms with the said sleeve arms, Wipers held on the free ends of the said wiper arms, each wiper having a rubbing plate, an endless wiping web passing over the said plate and winding up and unwinding rollers on which winds and unwinds the said web, a ratchet wheel on the outer winding up roller, a lever mounted to swing loosely on the said winding up roller, a pawl on the said lever and engaging the said ratchet wheel, a link connected with the said lever and provided with ratchet teeth, a keeper held on the said outer bar and engaged by the ratchet teeth of the said link, and a spring pressing the said link to hold the link in engagement with the said keeper.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEO SONDEREGGER.

Witnesses:

EMIL GUFEN CANARY, CHAS. F. SoI-IoLz.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

